CU-Boulder announces four finalists for dean of College of Music

University of Colorado Boulder Provost Russell L. Moore today announced the four finalists selected for the position of dean of the College of Music.

The finalists for the position are: Wayne Bailey, professor of conducting and instrumental ensembles, School of Music, Arizona State University; David Myers, director, School of Music, University of Minnesota; Jamal Rossi, executive associate dean, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester; and John Schaffer, director emeritus, School of Music, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I thank the committee and its chair, Dean Jim Williams, for forwarding four excellent candidates to lead our College of Music,” Moore said. “We are very proud that CU-Boulder hosts such a highly regarded music school for our students and provides such a vital connection to the community through its concerts, productions and lectures.”

Public sessions with the candidates will be held in the Imig Music Building at 5 p.m. on the following schedule:

“The search committee received more than 50 applications for this highly desirable position and came up with the four finalists after lengthy and careful deliberation,” said Williams, dean of libraries. “The quality of the college is reflected in the stature of the applicants.”

Bailey previously served as director of the Arizona State University School of Music from 2000 until 2006, when he assumed his current position. He also was director of the schools of music at the University of Tennessee (1998-2000) and Texas Tech University (1995-1998) and chair of the department of music at East Tennessee University (1993-1995). He was at CU-Boulder from 1982 to 1993, where he served in positions including chair of music education and assistant dean. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan and his doctorate in musical arts from CU-Boulder.

Myers has been director of the University of Minnesota School of Music since 2008 and previously held positions as professor, associate director and chair of the music education division at the Georgia State University School of Music (1987-2008) and also taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Lebanon Valley College, a master’s degree in music education from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester and a doctorate in music education from the University of Michigan.

Rossi has been at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester since 2005, where he has also has served as acting dean, interim dean and interim director. He also served as dean of the University of South Carolina School of Music (2000-05) and as assistant dean and associate dean at the Ithaca College School of Music (1989-2000). He earned his bachelor’s degree in music from Ithaca College, his master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan and his doctorate in musical arts from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester.

Schaffer was director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music from 1996 to 2011. He had been a faculty member at the university since 1986, where he also has held positions as interim director of graduate studies (1995-96) and chair of the theory/composition division (1992-95). He was a visiting assistant professor at Purdue University (1985-1986) and also taught at Indiana University (1981-85). He earned his bachelor’s degree in music performance and a master’s degree in music theory from Wayne State University and a doctorate in music theory from Indiana University.

The current dean of the CU-Boulder College of Music, Dan Sher, announced his resignation last August. Sher will complete his 20th year as dean in June of this year and plans to return to teaching in the college after his successor is appointed.

Quotes

“The search committee received more than 50 applications for this highly desirable position and came up with the four finalists after lengthy and careful deliberation,” said Jim Williams, dean of libraries and chair of the committee. “The quality of the college is reflected in the stature of the applicants.”